Combining djent grooves and progressive death metal with a great use of ambiance, Dubai's Benevolent have really raised the bar as to what we can expect from bands in this region. Despite many songs on The Covenant being around the 7-10 minute mark, it never overstays it's welcome due to the great musicianship showcased throughout as the albums flows back & forth between beauty & brutality.

This one went downhill for me pretty fast. The crunchy first track got me pumped. I like how the very djenty guitars are offset by acoustics, a different vocal approach, and other nontraditional elements to seperate it from the genre. However, I find the clean vocals to be a major snore. It is likely because they remind me of Insomnium's, which I find to be insufferable. If you are into that sort of thing, you will probably like this more. This album definitely takes you on a bit of a space odyssey, but one with too many pit-stops. Enjoyability=6, Musicianship=7.5, Innovation=6. About a 6.5 for me altogether.